Give me a moment like this.
*Please credit author in notes, and his poem.
Douglas Goetsch
I love this mans work, I was first introduced to him by
Al, as I was many other poets. I hope it will inspire you
to not only enter, but read his work.
The Bulbs
for Lisa Denton
I wait in the U-Haul with the kids
while she, in my sister’s peasant skirt
and her brother’s parka, fishes
the beds with a busted trowel,
then her bare hands thrusting, pulling
dark knots from the cold ground.
Behind her, the torched house
where her mother drank herself
to death, where we lived
until it burned. The insurance
bastards, still investigating,
won’t even pay for a motel.
I honk—Come on! She stands
in the stiff wind, which sends
the charred stink of the place
over the town. She walks the lawn
looking—not quite down—almost
inside herself for where she planted.
The kids have mourned their
stuffed animals, didn’t even cry
when the neighbors looted, but
no way will she leave these bulbs,
which have made flowers in two houses,
on both sides of the Hudson.
Finally she comes to the truck,
the hem of her skirt
in her hand, cradling them.
She blinks back tears, climbs
in, slams the door, says
Get this goddamn thing moving.
Douglas Goetsch
Rules:
Free verse only.
Check spelling
No longer than 40 lines.
`
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on December 17, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 500, Silver: 200, Bronze: 100
- Final notes: Morning everyone. Sorry this took so long to judge, there were so many fantastic entries that I could have easily split this contest into two. But I decided I'd better judge this before it was judged for me. lol.
I could have added many HMs. Thank you to all of you who took the time, and thought, to enter this contest. I was impressed to say the least.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Hugs
Kathleen
Contest Winners
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by crisstiena 48 lines, 9 comments, on Dec 6 10:51 AM 2008. In Adult, Contemporary
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4831765, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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by Pamela A Lamppa 53 lines, 22 comments, on Nov 30 11:10 AM 2008. In Life• Commented on by judge. [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4803948, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
Silver trophy winner
Entries [13]
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I hear the crunch of fallen dry leave's ... Under his trodden booted feet ... He comes here every November ... I stare out my eight pane wiby tarnished-angel42 9 lines, 3 comments, on Nov 23 9:16 PM 2008. In Thoughts, Life, Hope, Questions• Commented on by judge.
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by paulcreates 29 lines, 21 comments, on Nov 23 9:20 PM 2008. In Contest, Freewrite, Sad, thanksgiving• Commented on by judge.
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by Peteskid 40 lines, 7 comments, on Nov 23 11:11 PM 2008• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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Today, I knew another behind the asters of our love,
hiding my immorality, as a moment in a mist.• Commented on by judge. -
Letting her hair fall
long gray strandsby Swan song 40 lines, 4 comments, on Dec 6 4:02 PM 2008• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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You and Al seem to agree on the most marvelous things...like this; reminds of a certain poet from Canada, Saskatchewan I think... anyway...brilliant contest theme...PK
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I've bought alot of books from AP recommendations. Actually, I have alot of Ap poets books too. lol. I think the only way to expand as a poet is to read, read, read. And yeah, I do like the grittier day to day stuff, because I can relate so well. It doesn't take me hours after going; hmmmmm... what did he mean? I like that. I guess that's why I like the authors I do. They're not so abstract to the point of being intelligently-obtuse, if you know what I mean. lol.
Hope to see you in this, PK.
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I was about to say something similar to PK's comment. You and he do so well with tragedy.
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I don't know that it's the tragedy concept, but more the reality of it. The day to day little things that speak without being blantly obvious. When I see a poem that starts out; "My heart was broken in two..." I wanna puke. I want the why, when and who. And it doesn't have to be personal, just believable.
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Exactly.
Like your "...tennis shoe thirty feet away, by the shoulder." The corner-of-the-eye detail. And yes, this is why poetry is so enjoyable to me too. It's the cerebral calisthenics minus the high brow.
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I dont Like Free Verse !
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I will have to bookmark this.
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Do one better than that hon, and enter.
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wonderful poem...
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Many thanks for the shiny silver and points! I'll put the points to good use in a contest soon or to promote friends.
I enjoyed this exercise because of the different style of writing it took me to. Congrats to everyone who participated! And to the host...
Merry Christmas to you Rowan.
Lisa xo -
Oh my! Thank you so, so much for the Gold! I am staggered... so many fabulous entries by the cream of AP poets...
Congratulations to all the winners. And thank you too for running such a brilliant contest. Blessings and good luck with future contests and with your own writing.
~ crisstiena ♥
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS HERE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & ALL MY LOVE ♥
Renee
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